timeline for training

[sumitas]

What is the typical time line for training a yearling, soon to turn 2 , for the track ? I'm not talking about these 2 yr old under tack sales . The training time line for a yearling spotted for a race late summer or fall as a 2 yr old ?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by sumitas

What is the typical time line for training a yearling, soon to turn 2 , for the track ? I'm not talking about these 2 yr old under tack sales . The training time line for a yearling spotted for a race late summer or fall as a 2 yr old ?

I like to have the yearlings broke in the fall regardless of when the are going to run. Sometimes you turn them out for a bit and start training them in Feb or march. Sometimes you can send them right into training late in their yearling year and keep them going until they race or until you think they need a short break. Horses that are going to race in the fall still need a good bottom that being turned out in a field for a long time cant produce.

[Round Pen]

Just to add to what Cannon Said, I just stopped on 30 or so yearlings that are all going to the races. But I also just started breaking another batch of yearlings that are also going to the races. Of the one we just tuned Out some are slated to start back Jan 1 some Feb 1st and a few March 1st. I have a few that we are just starting to break that we will go right on with as we will try to run a couple at Keeneland this Spring.

[sumitas]

Those yearlings are fortunate to have such expert guidance at their young age . The best to all and thank you for your knowledge .

Occasionally I visit a farm in upstate NY . There I like to see 5 yearling colts in a large field with a hill . The boys spend their days rough housing, pulling bridles off each other . As a group they run full tilt up and over the hill, shaking the earth, sounding like thunder . They have not begun their formal schooling yet but instead rely on each other for their development in their young lives to date .

[Merlinsky]

Here's a question. I know they need practice with a farrier but when do you first start shoeing them? Does it help to do some of the early training sans shoes? I've been talking to some folks about the merits of horses already racing who run without shoes but this got me thinking about the effects on youngsters.

[paisjpq]

they see the farrier for the first time at about 2 months old--earlier for foals with limb deformaties or contracted tendons etc. and continue on a regular schedule for life.
Sales horses will have their first set of shoes put on before a yearling sale--generally they get pulled as soon as they are taken home. Depending on the horse there is usually a benefit to keeping them barefoot as long as possible. They develop better sole depth and wall strength than shod horses.

[Round Pen]

[quote=Merlinsky]Here's a question. I know they need practice with a farrier but when do you first start shoeing them? Does it help to do some of the early training sans shoes? I've been talking to some folks about the merits of horses already racing who run without shoes but this got me thinking about the effects on youngsters.[/QUOTE

Merlin Here in Florida I put Front shoes on All my Yearlings and trim them in behind the reason for this is that we have so much sand here that front shoes prevent alot of hoof problem (Sand Cracks)

I do not put 4 shoes on them until they have two minute licked a few times